If you suspect someone has ingested a poisonous substance, you need to act quickly. According to the NASD (National Ag Safety Database) four indicators of a suspected poisoning to watch for include:

1. Unusual stains or odors on clothes or skin.
2. Unusual odor on breath.
3. Drowsiness, stomach pain, vomiting, sweating, drooling, irritability, signs of fear, or other sudden changes in behavior.
4. Drug or chemical containers that are open and/or out of place.

Before you call for help the NASD recommends that you first look for the container, check its label for first aid information and follow it immediately.

Then call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222, and follow their instructions. This is a national number that can be dialed from anywhere in the US.  (Editor’s Note: Canada doesn’t have a national number; the Provincial Poison Control Centre numbers are listed in the article below.)

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